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State provides additional flexibilities to help students qualify for financial aid for college
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) today voted to provide students with additional flexibilities in accessing two critical state financial aid programs. These changes come as standardized testing opportunities continue to be uncertain during the COVID-19 crisis. Following today’s vote, high school seniors who graduated in 2020 can now qualify for the Promise Scholarship by taking an ACT or SAT exam by December 31, 2020. High school seniors in the graduating class of 2021 can qualify by taking an exam by August 31, 2021. The test score requirements for Promise remain the same: ACT: 22…
Continue ReadingHigher education systems award $85,000 in grants to strengthen diversity initiatives on college campuses in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System have awarded $85,000 in grants to support strengthened diversity efforts at higher education institutions across the state. The Diversity for Equity Grants are designed to support campus-led initiatives that make higher education more accessible to people of all ages, races, genders, and backgrounds. “This grant program has been in place for nearly a decade, and it remains so important today as we work to embrace diversity in higher education and level the playing field for educational success in West Virginia,” said Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West…
Continue ReadingState launches series of 20 financial aid webinars for students, families preparing for college
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kicking off tomorrow, September 1, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System are launching a series of 20 financial aid webinars for students and families as they prepare for the college-going process. The series, which runs through the end of April, will cover general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and updates regarding specific programs including the PROMISE Scholarship, West Virginia Invests, the Higher Education Grant, the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program, and the Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship. Financial aid staff will also be…
Continue ReadingHigher education systems award $45,000 in grants to strengthen college student mental health services in WV
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System have awarded $45,000 in grants to support student mental health at colleges and universities across the state. Through these Campus Mental Health Grants, institutions will implement a variety of projects that include identifying existing mental health services for improvement, increasing accessibility of clinical services, integrating mental health promotion and prevention throughout the campus system, and establishing a campus-wide culture that strives to identify, prevent, and treat mental illness. “We’ve been working hard at the statewide level to ramp up our efforts to improve mental health…
Continue ReadingNearly 100 nursing students from across the state selected for WV Nursing Scholarship Program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program, which provides awards to Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Registered Nursing (RN), graduate and LPN teaching certificate students, has awarded nearly 100 students with scholarships for the Fall 2020 semester. Awardees will receive scholarships ranging from $800 to $4,000, depending on what kind of nursing program they are enrolled in. “Receiving the West Virginia Nursing Scholarship means the world to me,” said Shelby Jarrell, a bachelor’s degree student at West Virginia University Institute of Technology who aspires to work in women’s health. “It shows me that I have support in the state…
Continue ReadingWV Health Sciences Service Program accepting applications for students committed to practicing in underserved communities
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is now accepting applications for the Health Sciences Service Program, which provides loan repayment for students in health professions who want to practice in underserved communities in West Virginia. This year’s award is available to students who are enrolled in their final year of a health professions graduate program at a West Virginia higher education institution. “Through this vital program, students who are gearing up to graduate and are interested in serving the health needs of some of West Virginia’s most needy communities are eligible for much-needed funding to help…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Chancellor thanks Governor Justice for support of COVID-19 testing on campuses
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor of West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System, today released the following statement thanking Governor Jim Justice for providing $2.5 million to support COVID-19 testing at West Virginia’s colleges and universities: “On behalf of our colleges, universities, students, and campus communities, I would like to thank Governor Justice for this incredible support as we all continue working to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus in West Virginia. Our public institutions are working shoulder-to-shoulder with one another, the Governor’s office, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human…
Continue ReadingNew state program aims to help educators, administrators improve online learning and professional development
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Network (WVNET), under the direction of the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission, has launched a program aimed at improving online education, training and employee engagement across West Virginia. Offered to teachers, instructors, administrators and managers in K-12, higher education and government entities, the new Teaching and Learning Commons offers a more structured approach to professional development for today’s increasingly digital environment. “Especially as educators and managers continue moving to virtual platforms in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we – as a state – offer those on the frontlines of…
Continue ReadingTwenty-five high school seniors selected as West Virginia’s first Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Twenty-five high school seniors who graduated this year have been selected as West Virginia’s first Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars. These students will receive the state’s newest and most prestigious scholarship of up to $10,000 per year – or $40,000 total – for their college education as they prepare to pursue rewarding careers as West Virginia teachers. “I’m incredibly proud of these young scholars, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next four years and beyond,” said Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor of West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System. “When…
Continue ReadingSarah Armstrong Tucker named Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – At today’s meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, members voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker as the Commission’s new Chancellor. Tucker was a finalist for the position, along with Dr. Joe Delap, Provost of Athens State University in Alabama, who withdrew his application earlier this week. Tucker has served as Interim Chancellor of the Commission since April 2019 and Chancellor of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System (CTCS) since October 2015. She is the first person to simultaneously serve in these two roles, leading both state agencies that guide policies…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia awarded $750,000 from Ascendium to increase degree completion, leverage philanthropic collaborations for student success
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS), together with Philanthropy West Virginia, today announced that Ascendium Education Group – one of the most active postsecondary education philanthropies in the country – has awarded the state $750,000 to support student success and accelerate degree completion. The West Virginia collaboration is part of Ascendium’s inaugural rural philanthropy grantees. In line with West Virginia’s Climb initiative, which seeks to arm 60 percent of the state’s workforce with a postsecondary credential by 2030, the programming resulting from the Ascendium grant will provide tools and…
Continue ReadingACT on-campus testing available for 2020 PROMISE Scholarship applicants at institutions statewide
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – With national testing dates affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has worked with colleges and universities across the state to make ACT on-campus testing available for this year’s graduating high school seniors who have applied for the PROMISE Scholarship. Applicants can qualify for PROMISE for the fall semester by earning qualifying scores through on-campus testing by the end of September. Students are encouraged to take the test at the college they plan to attend in the 2020-21 academic year. After testing is complete, the administering college will send scores to the…
Continue ReadingTop two finalists announced for next Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The search committee for the next Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission met today and selected two finalists following a national search and first round of interviews by the committee. The finalists were announced as Dr. Joe Delap, Provost of Athens State University in Alabama; and, the Commission’s current Interim Chancellor and Chancellor of the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia, Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker. These candidates will now be invited for interviews with the full Commission, which is scheduled to vote on a new Chancellor at its next regular meeting on…
Continue ReadingSearch committee for next Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission selects preliminary finalists
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The search committee for the next Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission met today and selected four preliminary finalists from a national search. The candidates, whose names will remain confidential at this time, will be interviewed by the committee via Zoom over the next two weeks. Following these four interviews, two finalists will be invited for interviews with the full Commission and will be announced publicly at that time. Once any additional interviews and background checks are complete, the Commission will vote on a final candidate at its next regular meeting on June 26,…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia high schoolers learn how to go to college one text message at a time
State higher education office’s college counseling texting program helping 27,000+ students stay on track amid COVID-19 crisis CHARLESTON, W.Va. – As graduating high school seniors wrap up the academic year amid significant changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are looking for ways to stay on track with their education. The “Txt 4 Success” program, an initiative of the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV), Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS), is currently helping more than 27,000 high school seniors and college freshmen do just that with reminders via text message. “There is so…
Continue ReadingCollege student leaders from across West Virginia share excitement, ideas, concerns about returning to campus this fall
CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Approximately 50 student government leaders from colleges and universities across West Virginia gathered virtually today for the West Virginia Student Leadership Conference, which is hosted each year by the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS). Discussions focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their education and how they, through their leadership roles, can help as institutions plan for the fall semester and beyond. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Interim Chancellor of the Commission and Chancellor of the CTCS, kicked off today’s conference by asking the students to share their experiences…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission extends testing deadline to qualify for PROMISE Scholarship due to COVID-19
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) today voted to provide students with greater flexibilities in qualifying for the PROMISE Scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year. With national ACT and SAT testing currently postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students will now be able to qualify for PROMISE for the fall semester by taking an ACT or SAT test by the end of October 2020. In addition, students will be able to use scores from residual tests, which are the same as the national ACT or SAT but administered, scored, and accepted by state colleges. “West…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Nursing Scholarship application opens today for 2020-21 academic year
CHARLESTON, W.VA. – The West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program, which provides awards to Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Registered Nursing (RN), graduate and LPN teaching certificate students in exchange for service in West Virginia, is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 academic year. The program is administered by the West Virginia Center for Nursing in conjunction with the Higher Education Policy Commission. “West Virginia needs more nurses, and that need is particularly evident right now as our health care workers fight on the front lines of the coronavirus battle across our state,” said Sarah Tucker, Interim Chancellor of the Higher Education…
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State higher education systems provide financial aid flexibilities for students amid ongoing campus changes related to COVID-19
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Council for Community and Technical College Education (Council) today voted to provide students with greater flexibilities in accessing and renewing state financial aid programs. This move comes as higher education institutions across the state continue adjusting methods for course delivery this semester in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in West Virginia, with many transitioning to online or other non-face-to-face methods for their classes. “Our institutions are making proactive and smart changes in the way they deliver instruction to protect West Virginia’s students, campus communities, and…
Continue ReadingState higher education systems release fall 2019 enrollment data
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS) today released fall 2019 enrollment data for the state’s public two- and four-year postsecondary education institutions. Notably, enrollment of first-time freshmen in the state’s nine community and technical colleges increased 9.9 percent from fall 2018 to fall 2019, meaning more than 3,000 freshmen entered those campuses this semester. “As we were working to pass the free community college bill during the 2019 legislative session, our hope and expectation was that there would be several students who wouldn’t have otherwise gone on to college…
Continue ReadingMillions in college grant dollars available if students file the FAFSA
State higher education office sets goal for 70 percent of high school seniors to complete financial aid applications CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is aiming for at least 70 percent of high school seniors to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15, 2020. Without completing this application, West Virginia’s students are potentially missing out on millions of dollars in available federal and state tuition assistance. To be eligible for all federal and most state financial aid programs, students must file the FAFSA. Those who file are considered for the…
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Veteran I.T. professional to lead West Virginia Network
Dr. Carl Powell brings more than 30 years of higher education experience to the state’s educational technology agency MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Network (WVNET) has selected Dr. Carl Powell to serve as its next director. Powell most recently was an independent technology and management consultant and the chief information officer for the Columbus, Ohio, Metropolitan library. Since 2000, Powell has served as vice president and chief information officer at universities in Colorado, Michigan and Ohio. His experience overseeing large higher education I.T. organizations and his ability to understand customer and student needs and the importance of expanded high-speed…
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West Virginia launches newest and most prestigious state college scholarship
$40,000 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars program created to attract math, science teachers CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) recently launched the online application for its newest and most-prestigious state scholarship, which is aimed at addressing critical teacher shortages in math, science, elementary education and special education. The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program will provide up to $10,000 per year in financial aid to 25 recent high school graduates to encourage them to become outstanding West Virginia public school teachers. This is the state’s largest-dollar financial aid award and most-prestigious scholarship for undergraduate students, according to Dr. Sarah…
Continue ReadingOver 450 West Virginia schools registered to participate in “College Application and Exploration Week”
“College Application and Exploration Week” helps students explore postsecondary options and careers CHARLESTON, W.Va. – “College Application and Exploration Week” will be celebrated statewide on November 4 – 8. Students, from pre-school to adult learners, will participate in hands-on college planning activities including college application workshops, panel discussions with current college students, college scavenger hunts, and trivia contests. They will also learn about different types of college options available such as certificate programs, career and technical programs, two-year degree programs, four-year degree programs, and military experience. “The path our students take after high school is one of the most important…
Continue Reading24 high schools recognized for performance guiding students to college
Principals, counselors receive state’s first ‘Champion of College Access and Success’ Awards CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Principals, counselors and staff from 24 high schools across West Virginia today are being recognized for their schools’ efforts to make students aware of higher education opportunities after they graduate. The inaugural “Champion of College Access and Success” recognition awards were presented by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to select schools that go the extra mile to help students and their families plan for college. Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, interim chancellor of the Commission, said staff at every high school in West…
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